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NBCDI Launches “State of the Black Child” Report Card for Texas Prioritizing Improvements in Education, Health and Family Support Systems for Black Children in the State

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NBCDI Launches “State of the Black Child” Report Card for Texas Prioritizing Improvements in Education, Health and Family Support Systems for Black Children in the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cemeré James, cjames@nbcdi.org

Crystal Prater, (202) 436-6497

In Texas, Black preschoolers were five times more likely to receive an out of school suspension than their white counterparts (2015-2016 school year). The impact on the social-emotional development of Black children, as demonstrated by the lack of Kindergarten readiness, delays in identification of potential underlying disabilities, and the pipeline from preschool disciplinary practices to prison later in life, is startling.

On August 30, 2018, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) launched its State of the Black Child Report Card for Texas to help end racial disparities that adversely affect learning outcomes for Black children. The “State of the Black Child” Report Card is uniquely designed based on feedback collected from grassroots engagement through community forums and roundtable discussions with families and community leaders held earlier this spring. The “State of the Black Child” Report Card is a resource designed to advance racial equity and sup-port policymakers, educators, parents, caregivers, and community leaders advocating for Black children and families.

NBCDI’s “State of the Black Child” Report Card for Texas launch event was held at the African American Museum. Participants discussed disparities in learning and well-being outcomes for Black children. Issues addressed in the report card include the high rates of suspensions and expulsions of children of color, policy recommendations to end school push-out, and best practices to increase access to high-quality early childhood education. The event included a keynote presentation by Dallas City Council Member Mr. Casey Thomas, II (District 3) and Ms. Cemeré James, Vice President of Policy at NBCDI.

ABOUT NBCDI: For 48 years, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has been at the forefront of engaging leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact Black children and families. With the support of the organization’s National Affiliate Network, NBCDI is committed to its mission “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families through education and advocacy.”

NBCDI delivers high-quality resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of Black children around issues including early childhood education, health and wellness, child welfare, literacy, and family engagement. NBCDI’s volunteer-driven National Affiliate Network operates in communities across the country, partnering with children, families, and organizations to implement evidence-based, strengths-based, culturally relevant, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed programs. The “State of the Black Child” Report Card was developed in partnership with the Alliance for Early Success (AES) in alignment with our national publication series “Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor: A Strengths-Based Look at the State of the Black Child” to challenge the prevailing discourse about Black children by drawing upon the considerable strengths, assets, and resilience demonstrated by our children, families, and communities.